Armistice

An armistice is a formal agreement between warring parties to suspend fighting. It is a cease of hostilities that is typically negotiated with the help of mediators and may be followed by broader peace negotiations or a lasting treaty. An armistice is not the same thing as a peace treaty; it often serves as a temporary or provisional arrangement while political and diplomatic issues are resolved.

Armistices usually specify the terms for stopping armed operations, which can include the withdrawal of forces, the exchange or treatment of prisoners, demilitarized zones, and provisions for humanitarian aid. They may also establish timelines, monitors, or other mechanisms to verify compliance. Because they focus on halting violence rather than resolving underlying disputes, armistices can be fragile and subject to violations or withdrawal if terms are not met.

The word armistice derives from the French term meaning a standstill of arms. While many armistices lead to formal peace settlements, some remain as temporary measures for extended periods or become the de facto end to fighting without a final political agreement.

Notable examples include the Armistice of 11 November 1918 that ended fighting in World War I; the 1949 Armistice Agreements following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War; and the 1953 Korean War armistice, which ceased major combat but did not constitute a peace treaty. See also ceasefire, peace treaty, mediation.